For many people, Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime place to go to. It’s such a wonderful and distinctive nation crammed with bucket checklist experiences. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to go twice however there’s nonetheless a lot I wish to see and do!
Listed here are 10 bucket checklist experiences in Japan that you simply gained’t wish to miss!
See the cherry blossoms
Spring in Japan is unbelievable due to the attractive cherry blossom that brightens up the nation. I’ve nonetheless by no means been throughout cherry blossom season and it’s very excessive on my bucket checklist.
The cherry blossom is out in March and April in most locations however you may see it earlier and later relying the place you might be in Japan. It’s completely magical to see so many cherry timber bursting into bloom and it’s a photographer’s dream to seize this magnificence.
In Tokyo and Kyoto cherry blossom season is in late March and early April and fashionable spots to view it embody Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, and Maruyama Park and the Thinker’s Path in Kyoto.
Trip a bullet practice
Japanese Bullet Trains put our British trains to disgrace!
Travelling at virtually 200mph, bullet trains zip throughout the nation with velocity, effectivity and luxury. What’s even higher is that they’re truly on time. Practice delays are measured in seconds and so they make travelling round Japan seamless.
There are 9 strains connecting Japan and you will get a bullet practice rail cross that provides you limitless entry.
Not solely is using a bullet practice an actual bucket checklist expertise for Japan but it surely’s additionally one of the simplest ways to get round.
See the Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture is legendary for its snow monkeys, or Japanese macaques, which will be seen bathing in sizzling springs. It’s much more beautiful should you’re fortunate sufficient to go to within the winter when the realm is roofed with snow and the new springs are steamy!
Climb Mount Fuji
In case you’re the energetic journey kind then you may’t miss the prospect to climb Mount Fuji. It’s an iconic hike and, whereas it’s difficult, you don’t have to be an skilled mountaineer to finish the hike.
Climbing to the summit at dawn is an unbelievable expertise and it might be busy however this solely provides to the magical environment. There are 4 trails open by means of the summer time months.
In case you don’t fancy the hike, there are many day excursions that take you to the fifth station on the mountain through bus.
Soak in an Onsen
An onsen is an enormous a part of Japanese tradition. It’s a pure sizzling spring bathtub, famend for its therapeutic mineral waters. You’ll normally discover an onsen in scenic areas so you may take pleasure in out of doors bathing services with a beautiful view.
Learn extra on my first timer’s information to visiting a Japanese onsen.
Attend a standard tea ceremony
There’s a lot cultural significance in a standard tea ceremony in Japan.
It’s a wonderful ritual across the preparation and ingesting of matcha (powdered inexperienced tea). It normally takes place in a minimalist room for a serene and pure environment. The host meticulously prepares and serves the tea utilizing swish, deliberate actions. It’s all about mindfulness and appreciation of the second, reflecting deep-rooted Japanese cultural values.
Expertise the vibrancy of Tokyo
Tokyo is likely one of the most unbelievable cities on this planet and, fortunately, many individuals will fly into Tokyo so it’s an incredible place to start out your journey. These are among the finest issues to see in Tokyo:
1. Tokyo Tower – Go onto the commentary decks for gorgeous views over town, day and evening!
2. Senso-ji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest and most important temple
3. Shibuya Crossing – The world’s busiest pedestrian crossing
4. Meiji Shrine – A serene Shinto shrine
5. Akihabara – Tokyo’s mecca for electronics, anime, manga, and otaku tradition.
6. Tsukiji Outer Market – A tremendous place to get contemporary sushi
7. Tokyo Skytree – The tallest tower on this planet!
8. Ginza District – A luxurious buying and leisure district
9. Odaiba – A futuristic man-made island with leisure, buying, and futuristic structure.
10. Harajuku and Takeshita Avenue – A unusual space with a lot of boutiques
Keep in a Conventional Ryokan
A Ryokan is the Japanese equal of staying in a British B&B!
It’s a standard Japanese inn and so they’re normally household run. They’ve matted flooring and futon beds and it’s an incredible place to expertise Japanese hospitality. You’ll normally be handled to a tea ceremony and luxuriate in a standard Japanese meal.
Go to the temples and shrines of Kyoto
Kyoto is well-known for its temples and shrines which are all so lovely and intricately embellished.
A few of my favourites had been Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) which appears to drift majestically on a tranquil pond. It’s a Zen Buddhist temple coated in gold leaf and the dazzling yellow displays within the nonetheless pond so completely.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is well-known for it’s hall of crimson gates referred to as Torii Gates that create a tunnel impact that lead you up the mountain. It’s a magical 5km hike that takes you to the temple and again and different, smaller shrines alongside the way in which. You get unbelievable panoramic views of Kyoto too!
Kiyomizu-dera is a gigantic temple advanced on Mt Otowa. There’s a lot to see and wonderful views of Kyoto.
Take a meals tour
Japanese meals is among the finest on this planet. Simply occupied with contemporary sushi, gyoza, ramen, tempura and udon makes my mouth water!
However one factor I discovered about being in Japan was that it’s a bit overwhelming understanding the place to go and what to order. I extremely suggest taking a meals tour once you arrive to strive as many genuine dishes are you may and in addition to get a really feel for the way to order and the place to go.
There are some nice suggestions on TripAdvisor for meals excursions in several areas.
In case you’re planning an enormous bucket checklist journey to Japan then check out Vicky Flip Flop’s 3 week Japan itinerary
